§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's(a) responsibilities and (b) assets with regard to civil contingency planning; what funds are committed; what action he is taking within his Department to improve such planning; and what action he is taking in collaboration with other Departments. [102622]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department of Health's responsibilities for civil contingency planning are to work with the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat, other Government Departments and the national health service to ensure there are adequate arrangements to protect the health of the population and continue to provide NHS care.
The Department of Health has been working with the NHS, strengthening arrangements to ensure we are as prepared as we can be in responding to a range of possible new threats, such as the deliberate release of chemical or biological agents or incidents associated with radiological or nuclear hazards.
The recent National Audit Office report, "Facing the Challenge: NHS Emergency Planning in England", made a series of recommendations for improving emergency planning arrangements which are being taken forward. The Department of Health is working with the NHS to ensure all its organisations have reviewed and enhanced their state of readiness.
The Department of Health has issued specific guidance to the NHS on the public health response to the deliberate release of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, mass decontamination and mass casualties. A new protective suit has been issued for use by ambulance and accident and emergency staff working on the decontamination of patients. Significant funds have been made available to pay for these suits as well as the stockpiling of drugs and vaccines which could be used in the event of an attack on the United Kingdom. Further work is being done to look at what additional resources may be needed to maintain vigilance and improve preparedness.
The Department of Health has made available, through the emergency planning section of its website at www.doh.gov.uk/epcu, a comprehensive package of guidance for clinicians on dealing with the consequences of deliberate release. This information is regularly updated. The website contains a link to the Public Health Laboratory Service website at www.phls.org.uk, which provides additional clinical and other information. The Department has recently sponsored clinically led sessions to widen understanding in the NHS about the treatment of burns and biological, chemical and blast injuries.